Netflix ‘Lost in Space’ Casts Toby Stephens as Papa Robinson

Netflix finally got the ball rolling on its Lost in Space reboot series with the casting of Taylor Russell, and now the displaced family Robinson has a patriarch as well. Fresh off the final season of Starz’s Black Sails, Toby Stephens will serve as the Robinson family head who gets his family Lost in Space.

Netflix previously set a 10-episode order for the new one-hour series, eyed for a 2018 debut under Prison Break alum Zack Estrin. Untold team Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless will write the new version, producing Neil Marshall and Marc Helwig of Legendary TV, with Marshall likely to direct. So reads the new synopsis:

Taking its cues from the original series, the show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages.

The original 1960s series saw 1997 future family the Robinsons heading into space for a 5-year mission, before the evil Dr. Smith sabotaged the mission and sent the family off-course. Crewed by John and Maureen Robinson, their children Penny, Judy and Will, as well as Major Don West, Doctor Smith and “Robot,” the original series aired on CBS for a grand total of 83 episodes over 3 seasons.